DURHAM, N.C. - In the first event of the Duke Invitational, freshman Michael Foley broke the men’s school record in the hammer with a mark of 189-04 (57.72) on Friday April 5. The personal best mark was also good enough to secure a victory for the Paradise Valley, Ariz., native. Duke picked up four first place finishes on the first of two days of competition.

“Once again the Duke Invitational has proved to be a great showcase for our athletes in Wallace Wade Stadium,” commented Director of Track and Field Norm Ogilvie. “It was a great win for Gabby outkicking Cydney Ross, who was in her 1,500 debut, and a great race for James Kostelnik by breaking 14 minutes followed by a host of Blue Devils who earned personal records.”

Foley improved his mark on each throwing attempt, earning the school record mark on his fifth attempt to give him the victory. Redshirt sophomore Kyler Shumway finished in eighth place with a mark of 157-10 (48.10).

“Mike is off to a good start in only his second meet of the season,” commented Duke assistant coach B.J. Linnenbrink. “He is starting to be more consistent in the ring and I think that consistency will result in big pr’s. He also has increased his chances of qualifying for regionals later this spring.”

Senior Andrea Hopkins earned her first victory of the season with a throw of 147-6 (44.96). Redshirt freshman Karli Johonnot and sophomore Baily Murphy both earned personal best marks to finish 11th and 18th respectively.

Later in the day, redshirt junior Michelle Anumba earned a second place finish in the women’s hammer throw with a mark of 178-08 (54.45). She will return to action in the women’s shot put tomorrow afternoon.

In the 400 meter hurdles, sophomore Elizabeth Kerpon ran a season-best 1:01.77 to finish third overall. Other Blue Devils in the event included junior Hannah Goranson who crossed the line in 14th place with a time of 1:04.87 and freshman Abby Snyder who finished in 16th place with a time of 1:04.99. Freshman Matthew Rodio competed in the men’s division finishing eighth in 55.45.

Junior Gabby Levac led the pack in the 1,500m crossing the line first in a personal best 4:24.52 after outkicking teammate senior Ross who also earned a personal best, crossing the line in 4:25.38 in second place. Junior Jessie Rubin also ran a personal record, finishing in eighth place with a time of 4:33.46.

In the women’s Sally Meyerhoff 3,000m, senior Kayla Hale led the Blue Devils with a second place finish by crossing the line in 10:00.61. She was followed by sophomore Chloe Maleski and Dana Morin who finished in seventh and tenth place respectively.

In one of the final races of the night, Kostelnik kicked his way into a first place finish in the men’s 5,000m to give Duke its fourth top finisher of the day. The Los Angeles, Calif., native broke 14 minutes for the first time in his career finishing in 13:59.02 which placed him fifth on Duke's all-time list. Senior Mike Moverman followed close behind in third place with a personal record time of 14:06.92. Junior Brian Atkinson also earned a personal record running a time of 14:12.64 to finish in seventh place overall. Juniors Phil Fairleigh, Spencer Pecha and freshman William Hague also earned personal records finishing tenth, 13th and 16th respectively.

To close out the night, senior Joseph Elsakr ran a ten second personal record in the men's 10,000m to finish fifth overall in 31:17.93.

The Duke Invitational continues tomorrow morning with the women’s long jump beginning at 9:00 a.m. Live video and live results will be available on www.GoDuke.com.

“We look forward to a great Saturday with a great forcast and great competition starting at 9:00 am and finishing out with the 6:00 am.”